Protective headwear

ABSTRACT

A head protection system, comprising; a helmet or hat; and one or more pads. The one or more pads are configured to engage the helmet or hat via an engagement mechanism, which may be selected from a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, and friction snaps. The engagement mechanism may be located on a rear portion of said headwear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application that takes priority to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/853,466, filed on May 28, 2019, titled “BEANIE HAT OR CAP INCORPORATING A MOLDED FOAM PAD INSERT FOR PROTECTION AND COMFORT”, by inventors Mark Dennis Holte and James Earisckson, and 62/854,011, filed on May 29, 2019 titled “HEADGEAR PADDING”, by inventors James Earickson and Mark Dennis Holte, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF USE

The present disclosure relates generally to headwear, and more particularly, to a modular protective headwear solution comprising removable or adjustable padding solutions.

BACKGROUND

There are many situations in which people perform activities during which they need to protect their heads in case of accidents or falls. The most common head protection currently available is a helmet. Helmets typically include a hard outer shell and padding or soft inner portions. Helmets may be kept on the user via friction or via straps and buckles/connectors.

In general, users of bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, hoverboards, and other wheeled transportation devices are advised to wear a helmet every time they ride. Additionally, those individuals participating in high intensity or extreme sports, such as rock climbing, skiing, and snowboarding are also advised to wear a helmet to protect their head to prevent serious head injuries in case of a fall or accident.

Helmets are generally rigid in structure and relatively bulky. Helmets are also generally not considered trendy, stylish, or generally fashionable. As a result, many individuals, especially younger individuals, prefer to not wear a helmet and ultimately do not wear any sort of head protection when using personal transportation devices. Furthermore, most people do not wear a helmet or other protective headwear under normal circumstances, even though head injuries may happen at any time.

Accordingly, there is a need for headwear to protect an individual's head from falls and accidents that is convenient, comfortable, and fashionable to wear.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, the present specification discloses a new and useful double shoe combination footwear with a concealed inner shoe.

One embodiment may be a head protection system, comprising; a headwear; and one or more padded components; wherein the one or more padded components may be configured to engage the headwear via an engagement mechanism. The one or more padded components may be removably attached to the headwear. The engagement mechanism may comprise a hook and loop fastener system. The engagement mechanism may be located on a rear portion of the headwear. The headwear may be a soft-bodied headwear. The engagement mechanism may comprise one or more pockets on the soft-bodied headwear configured to receive and secure the one or more padded components. The soft-bodied headwear may be a beanie.

The headwear may be a hard-bodied headwear. The engagement mechanism may comprise an adhesive. The hard-bodied headwear may be a helmet.

Another embodiment may be a head protection system, comprising; a helmet; and one or more padded components; wherein the one or more padded components may be configured to engage an exterior of the helmet via an engagement mechanism; wherein the engagement mechanism may be selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener, adhesive, thermoforming, and injection molding; and wherein the engagement mechanism may be located on a rear portion of the headwear.

Another embodiment may be a head protection system, comprising; a beanie; and one or more padded components; wherein the beanie may comprise one or more pockets configured to receive and secure the one or more padded components; and wherein the one or more pockets may be located on a rear portion of the headwear.

It is an object to provide protective headwear that may be fashionable.

It is an object to provide protective headwear that may be easy to transport and store when not in use.

It is an object to provide protective headwear that may be configured for specific use cases.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, of the accompanying drawings, and of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The drawings show illustrative embodiments, but do not depict all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted for the purpose of saving space or for more effective illustrations. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without some or all components or steps provided in the illustrations. When different drawings contain the same numeral, that numeral refers to the same or similar components or steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a soft-bodied protective headwear.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a soft-bodied protective headwear showing a pocket for receiving a pad component.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a pad for use with a soft-bodied protective headwear.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of a hard-bodied protective headwear with attached padding component.

FIGS. 5A-C are illustrations of one embodiment of a pad for use with hard-bodied protective headwear.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another embodiment of a hard-bodied protective headwear with attached external padding component.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of another embodiment of a hard-bodied protective headwear with attached external padding component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments. However, the one or more embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedures and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

While some embodiments are disclosed herein, still other embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art as a result of the following detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications of various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. The Figures, and their detailed descriptions, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “soft-bodied headwear”, as used herein, refers to any headwear that is flexible and relatively form fitting to a wearer's head, potentially including stretchable materials.

As used herein, the term “hard-bodied headwear” refers to any headwear that is substantially rigid in structure, including, but not limited to, helmets and hard hats.

As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, refer to a deviance of between 0.0001-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” the same in size, shape, and design would mean that the object is either completely the same/identical in size, shape, and design or nearly completely the same/identical in size, shape, and design. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a soft-bodied protective headwear. As shown in FIG. 1, the soft-bodied protective headwear 100 may be a beanie. Alternatively, the soft-bodied protective headwear 100 may be a cap, hat, headband, visor, beret, tam, Peruvian beanie, or other headwear having a flexible material that does not traditionally include protective padding.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a soft-bodied protective headwear showing a pocket for receiving a pad component. As shown in FIG. 2, the soft-bodied protective headwear 200 may comprise a pocket 205. The pocket 205 may be built into the soft-bodied protective headwear 200 and be configured to receive a pad 210. In a preferred embodiment, the pocket 205 may be on an interior portion of the soft-bodied protective headwear, such that a wearer's head, when donned, would aid in preventing the pad 210 from being dislodged from the pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the pocket 205 may be on an exterior portion of the soft-bodied protective headwear 200. In some embodiments, the pocket 205 may comprise or be a fastening mechanism, such as a hook and loop fastener or zipper fasteners in order to secure the pocket 205 in a closed position when the pad 205 is inside the pocket 205.

Preferably, the entirety of the pad 210 may fit within the pocket 205. The pocket 205 may remain unsealed, such that the pad 210 may be inserted and removed as needed or desired. The pocket 205 may be located on a rear portion of the soft-bodied protective headwear 200. In alternative embodiments, the pocket 205 may be located on a side, front, or any other portion of the soft-bodied protective headwear 200.

Because the pad 210 may be removable from the soft-bodied protective headwear 200, this may have the advantage of allowing the wearer to insert the pad 210 into the soft-bodied protective headwear 200 on an as needed basis. This may also allow the soft-bodied protective headwear 200 to be easily transportable, and the wearer may have several versions of the pad 210 for different applications. Some pads may be denser, lighter, more compact, thicker, thinner, harder, and/or softer, such that the user may select the pad that works the best for the application at hand. In some embodiments, the pocket may be a band, elastic strap, mesh, sleeve, nook, notch, and/or pouch. In other embodiments, the pad may be held in place by a strap with a connector, such as a fastener or buckle.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a pad for use with a soft-bodied protective headwear. As shown in FIG. 3, the pad 300 may be a shape configured to conform to a wearer's head shape, such as concave. The manufacturing process of the pad 300 may comprise stamping, cutting, molding, or the like. The pad 300 may be made of substantially of any impact absorbing or reducing material, such as foam, rubber, plastic, or any material with the ability to deform.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of a hard-bodied protective headwear with attached padding component. As shown in FIG. 4, the hard-bodied protective headwear 400 may comprise a pad 405 and an attachment mechanism 410. In one embodiment, the hard-bodied protective headwear 400 may be a bicycle helmet, ski helmet, as shown, batting helmet, hockey helmet, or substantially any type of helmet or headwear with a rigid outer portion. The pad 405 may attach to the hard-bodied protective headwear 400 via the attachment mechanism 410. The attachment mechanism 410 may be hook and/or loop fasteners, stitching, adhesive, snap buttons, friction snaps, or any other mechanisms for attaching the pad 405 to the outer surface of the hard-bodied protective headwear 410. This embodiment may have advantages because the wearer may be able to utilize as many pads 405 as desired on an exterior of the hard-bodied protective headwear 400 in various configurable locations, thereby allowing the wearer to have additional safety when desired. In some embodiments the pad may be flat in a resting position but may be flexible and configured to curve around the helmet when attached. The pad may be a soft pad or may be a soft pad with hard outer portions.

FIGS. 5A-C are illustrations of one embodiment of a pad for use with hard-bodied protective headwear. As shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the pad 500 may comprise an attachment mechanism 510. The attachment mechanism 510 may be hook and/or loop fasteners, stitching, adhesive, snap buttons, friction snaps, or any other mechanisms for attaching the pad 500 to the hard-bodied protective headwear 410. The attachment mechanism 510 and location on the pad 500 may vary depending on application and intent. FIG. 5B shows that the pad 500 may be substantially flat when not in use but is configured to curve or bend around the helmet when in use.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another embodiment of a hard-bodied protective headwear with attached external padding component. As shown in FIG. 6, the hard-bodied protective headwear 600 may comprise an attachment portion 601, which is configured to engage with attachment portion 605 on pad 604. FIG. 6 shows how the attachment portions 601 and 605 may be combined to form an attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism may entirely reside on either the helmet or the pad.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of another embodiment of a hard-bodied protective headwear with attached external padding component. As shown in FIG. 7, the hard-bodied protective headwear 700 may comprise an attachment portion 701, which is configured to engage with attachment portion 705 that is on an inner surface of pad 704. Preferably, the outer surface of pad 704 may be scuff resistant and made from a material that is easy to clean. The pad may also be made in various colors to match the protective headwear 700 or to provide a fashion statement. In one embodiment the attachment portion 701 is a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener and the attachment portion 705 is a hook portion of a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the attachment portions 701, 705 may be unitarily part of the headwear 700 and pad 704. In other embodiments, the attachment portions 701, 705 may be adhesively engaged to the headwear 700 and pad 704.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes the illustrative embodiments. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A head protection system, comprising; a headwear; and one or more pads; wherein said one or more pads are configured to engage said headwear via an engagement mechanism.
 2. The head protection system of claim 1, wherein said one or more pads are removably attached to said headwear.
 3. The head protection system of claim 2, wherein said engagement mechanism is a hook and loop fastener system.
 4. The head protection system of claim 1, wherein said engagement mechanism is located on a rear portion of said headwear.
 5. The head protection system of claim 1, wherein said headwear is a soft-bodied headwear.
 6. The head protection system of claim 5, wherein said engagement mechanism is one or more pockets on said soft-bodied headwear that are configured to receive and secure said one or more pads.
 7. The head protection system of claim 6, wherein said one or more pads are removeable from said one or more pockets.
 8. The head protection system of claim 5, wherein said soft-bodied headwear has an outward appearance of a beanie.
 9. The head protection system of claim 1, wherein said headwear is a hard-bodied protective headwear.
 10. The head protection system of claim 9, wherein said engagement mechanism is an adhesive.
 11. The head protection system of claim 9, wherein said engagement mechanism is a hook and loop fastener system
 12. The head protection system of claim 9 wherein said hard-bodied headwear is a helmet.
 13. The head protection system of claim 9 wherein said helmet is selected from the group of helmets consisting of: ski; hockey; batting; baseball; combat; bike; motorcycle; skating; firefighter's; stackhat; jockey; football; cricket; camogie; hurling; lacrosse; rock climbing; construction; hardhat; mining; riot police; and fighter pilots.
 14. A head protection system, comprising; a helmet; and one or more pads; wherein said one or more padded components are configured to removeably engage an exterior of said helmet via an engagement mechanism; wherein said engagement mechanism is selected from the group of engagement mechanisms consisting of one or more of: a hook and loop fastener; an adhesive; one or more friction snaps; and combinations thereof.
 15. The head protection system of claim 14, wherein said engagement mechanism is located on a rear portion of said headwear.
 16. A head protection system, comprising; a beanie; and one or more pads; wherein said beanie comprises one or more pockets that are configured to receive and removeably secure said one or more pads.
 17. The head protection system of claim 16, wherein said one or more pockets are located on a rear portion of said beanie. 